The city of Des Moines is investing in public art, having elected to spend some $800,000 to preserve Greenwood Pond: Double Site (1989–96), an urban wetland art installation by environmentally engaged artist Mary Miss.

The value of public open space versus that of cultural institutions was thrust into the spotlight in the Windy City last week when the Chicago Park District board voted to transfer some 20 acres of parkland to the city if the University of Chicago is successful in its bid to host Barak Obama’s Presidential Library.